" First of all, they were required to define themselves as human beings, rather than as animals, in order to
establish a place for themselves under the law as rightful holders of the entitlement of citizenship, including
opportunities for literacy and learning." (Royster 109).
To be African American during these times was a hard enough task that was faced within this race itself.
However, adding the gender as female changed everything as we would see for the worse. Just as we have
recently wrote our literacy narrtaives, Royster clearly shows that African American females upheld a
substantial amount of literacy in their own unique ways, whether it be cultural, professional etc.. How I have
recently discovered through the arts, literacy can be obtained to a new knowledge. The “white man” and society
wanted to degrade their worth, but in households and in life, you could not stop their worth. Smarter than
anyone could possibly imagine, to be able to manipulate the court system and come on top, it is obvious that they could
not be animalistic and worth nothing as it was seemed to be. The first pages really exutes forth the true
nature of African American females, going against everything, it behooves us, the generation today to
continue “Going Against the Grain,” and make strides for a better future. Royster touches on if we slip up,
then the finger will be pointed once again. Would we really want to be held accountable for the downfall of
such great women before us?
-Socoya Douglas
You asked, "Would we really want to be held accountable for the downfall of such great women before us?". My concern is if we decide to go against the grain and challenge the practices of our present day society would we be positively adding to the african-american female legacy or be looked to as a downfall.
ReplyDelete-Monique Henderson
“If we slip up, then the finger will be pointed once again.” We have grown from such strong and sturdy roots that it would be a shame to disregard all that our female ancestors have done for us. They have endured so much pain from the slash of the whip to the mistreatment of her body. Black women have fought for their lives and we have come out strong. We must never tarnish their triumphs by degrading ourselves just as they were forced by the white man. We must hold each other up, support one another, and challenge ourselves and row stronger.
ReplyDeleteThis post gives a strong foucus on how African American women were protrayed in "Going Against the Grain". For they were worth more than they were treated. I can clearly see how passionate the writer of this posts is on what she is talking about. The question that is posed is directed to the audience. As an audience my response is that women of color have downfalls after downfalls;yet they still seemingly come out of that darkness into the light. This is proven time after and time who wouldn't want to be apart of such unique women? Not me!
ReplyDelete-Megan Edmonds